Modified synthetic routes to poly(isothianaphthene)

• Published in: Synthetic metals Vol. 128; no. 2; pp. 215 - 220
• Main Authors: Chen, Wei-Te, Bowmaker, Graham A, Seakins, John M, Cooney, Ralph P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 30.04.2002; Amsterdam Elsevier Science; New York, NY
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Conductivity; Exact sciences and technology; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Polymerization; Polymers with particular properties; Polythiophene and derivatives; Preparation, kinetics, thermodynamics, mechanism and catalysts; Spectroscopy; Polythiophene and derivatives; Polymerization; Conductivity; Spectroscopy; Conducting polymers; Free radical polymerization; Electrical conductivity; Electrical properties; Thiophene derivative polymer; Preparation; Aromatic polymer; Reaction mechanism; Oxidative polymerization; Experimental study; Electrochemical polymerization; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0379-6779; 1879-3290
• DOI: 10.1016/S0379-6779(02)00022-X

Two routes for the synthesis of the low bandgap conductive polymer poly(isothianaphthene), which have significant advantages over previous preparative methods, are examined. The single-step O 2-induced polymerization of 1,3-dihydroisothianaphthene, which has been reported previously, is further systematically studied. A modified synthetic method for the O 2-induced polymerization of 1,3-dihydroisothianaphthene in the presence of the radical initiator dibenzoyl peroxide leads to the more rapid formation of poly(isothianaphthene) in greater yield, and the product shows better stability as a suspension in organic solvents relative to the products of other preparative methods. The products obtained were characterized by elemental analysis, and IR and Raman spectroscopy. The variables involved in these two synthetic routes are investigated and possible mechanisms for the reactions involved are discussed.